X-MINING What Is Ethical Consumption? Its Relationship with SDGs and Specific Actions

Ethical Consumption refers to the practice where consumers consider social issues and environmental impacts in their purchasing decisions, supporting businesses that address these concerns. In this article, we will explain how ethical consumption is related to SDGs and what we can do specifically.​

​​​​”Ethical Consumption” is an initiative related to Goal 12 among 17 goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. Ethical consumption is attracting attention as one of the solutions to diversifying and worsening social and environmental problems.​​​

​​In this article, we will introduce what kind of initiatives we can take with regard to ethical consumption. We will also introduce our relevance to SDGs and what individuals and companies can do specifically.​

​​”Ethical” is a concept related to ethics and morals. Specifically, it means acting in accordance with moral principles and values, and making judgments from an ethical perspective. In order to conduct ethical consumption, it is said that it is important to emphasize ethical perspectives in the selection of products and services, and to act in consideration of social impact and environmental considerations.​

According to the Consumer Affairs Agency, Ethical Consumption was explored in a two-year “Ethical Consumption” survey workshop starting in May 2015. This study group was held to promote consumer behavior that takes into account people, society, and the environment, including regional revitalization and employment.​

See Also: Ethical Consumption | Consumer Affairs Agency

​​As a concrete definition, ethical consumption means that each consumer conducts consumption activities while considering the resolution of social issues and supporting businesses that address them.​​​​​

​​The need for ethical consumption has been highlighted from a variety of backgrounds, including recent environmental issues, human rights issues for workers, and heightened awareness of poverty.​

​​For example, environmental issues, such as global warming and destruction of ecosystems, are now a global issue. However, it is said that excessive consumption of resources and an increase in waste have increased the burden on the environment and may undermine the sustainable future.​

​​In addition, the Consumer Affairs Agency promotes the importance of corporate social responsibility. Consumers need to make decisions on whether to purchase products based on the importance of how much they consider, such as the impact on the environment and consideration for human rights.​

​​These backgrounds have raised the importance of ethical consumption, and it is said that consumers have become more conscious of the ethical perspective and social impact of choosing products and services.​

​Ethical Consumption and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are both “key concepts aimed at realizing a sustainable society and environment.” They can be viewed from different perspectives.​

​​This is also positioned as an international framework. The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 (of which ethical consumption is regarded as an initiative related to SDGs Goal 12 of SDGs)17).​

​​The Ethical Consumption Initiative is related to SDGs’s goal of “Responsibility Production” and “Ensuring Sustainable Production and Consumption Patterns.”​

​​The goal is to promote sustainable production and consumption through efficient use of resources, reduction of waste, reduction of environmental impact, and respect for human rights.​

​​Specifically, we place emphasis on promoting policies and actions to achieve sustainable consumption and production, and reducing resource waste and environmental impact.​

​​In addition, Sumitomo Metal Mining is focusing on “responsibility to make (Target 12)” and promoting sustainable business operations by utilizing near-infrared absorbing materials through the use of resources and consideration for the environment.​​​​​​​​​

​​To learn more about our efforts towards achieving the SDGs, refer to the following section.​

What can we do in SDGs? About the initiatives of individuals and companies​

I will explain specific behaviors associated with ethical consumption, following the classification introduced by the Consumer Affairs Agency.

• ​​Consideration for People and Society​
• ​​Consideration for the Earth​
• ​​Environmental Considerations​

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Consideration for People and Society

​​In order to practice ethical consumption with an emphasis on “Consideration for People and Society,” the selection of fair trade products is cited. Fair trade products are products that emphasize improving the working conditions and income of producers.​

​​A variety of products, including coffee, chocolate, and clothing, have the International Fair Trade Certification Label. By choosing these products, it is possible to support producers who receive appropriate working conditions and rewards.​

​​In addition, we can support brands that are taking social initiatives and giving consideration to the environment. Surveying information on corporate social responsibility and selecting products based on that information will be part of evaluating the company’s efforts.​

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Consideration of Local Communities

​​”Local production for local consumption” is cited as a means of practicing ethical consumption in consideration of the Earth. Local production for local consumption means supporting locally produced foods and products. This will enable us to reduce energy and emissions from transportation and transportation. When purchasing food, buying it at a local butcher or grocery store will be a familiar ethical consumption for us.​

​​Furthermore, purchasing local products from the disaster-stricken areas also leads to ethical consumption. By choosing products produced in the affected areas, we support the reconstruction and economic recovery of the affected areas.​

​​Did you know that buying traditional crafts also leads to ethical consumption? Traditional crafts are an important element in conveying local culture and technology. Buying these items will help you support and continue the traditions of the area.​

​​Consumption activities that give consideration to the local community will reduce the burden on the global environment and contribute to the realization of a sustainable future.​​​

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Being Environmentally Conscious​

​​Have you ever consciously tried to find environmentally friendly products in your daily consumption activities? Choosing items or recycled products that have Eco-Label or Resource Protection certification reduces the impact on the environment, reduces waste, and saves resources.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​Also, bringing my bag when shopping helps to reduce plastic waste, making it easier for us to work toward ethical consumption in our daily lives.​​​

​​In addition, thorough sorting of trash in accordance with local rules and reducing food loss to zero will lead to important actions that contribute to environmental protection and the effective use of resources.​

It is crucial for companies to engage in ethical consumption by reviewing their consumption activities and improving the supply chain.

​​As mentioned above, companies can promote sustainable activities that take these aspects into consideration by reviewing their consumption activities. Take into account the use of corporate reporting and certification systems that can be visualized, and the creation of a supply chain that takes sustainability into account.​

Thinking about creating new value that takes into account people, society, and the environment​

​​In modern society, consumption activities as a corporation play an increasingly important role. Companies not only provide products and services, but also impact people, communities, and the environment through their consumption activities. For this reason, companies need to consider whether their consumption activities are in consideration of these policies.​

​​Providing new value to society based on the concept of ethical consumption by companies is an important element in both the construction of business models and social contributions.​

​​Companies can provide consumers with new value by developing reusable products through the use of environmentally friendly materials and through production processes.​

​​In addition, companies must visualize and provide information on the manufacturing processes and supply chains of their products so that consumers can understand the origin and environmental impact of their products.​

​​Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. SDGs places top priority on “Responsibilities to Make” in its efforts to contribute to sustainable communities and the global environment. For more information, please visit the Sumitomo Metal Mining Site.​​​

Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Vision for 2030​

Inquiries to the Sumitomo Metal Mining X-MINING website

This section introduces whether Sumitomo Metal Mining’s powder materials products can be utilized to contribute to the practice of ethical consumption.​​​​​​​
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Achieve Ethical Consumption in Various Applications ~ Near Infrared Absorbing materials ~

​​​One of the Sumitomo Metal Mining’s powder materials products, the near-infrared absorbing material, is an inorganic material characterized by its near-infrared radiation absorbing power and high transparency in the visible range. It has a high transmittance of visible light and a strong absorbing power against near-infrared rays. They are expected to contribute to reducing environmental impact by taking advantage of their characteristics, and to have a wide range of applications in various industries and fields.​

​​Please take a look at the following specific examples.​

Learn more about Sumitomo Metal Mining’s near-infrared absorbing materials
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Realize energy-saving space

​​​​​​​Large glass windows are adopted by many companies not only because of their beautiful appearance but also because of their sense of openness.​

​​However, the room temperature of such windowed buildings rises due to sunlight passing through the glass entering the room in summer, so powerful air conditioners had to be operated, and there was a problem of increased energy consumption and cost.​

​​By applying the near-infrared absorbing material SOLAMENT™* to the window glass and applying it as a film, we succeeded in greatly cutting the near-infrared rays in 850～1200nm region, which is the source of the heat of sunlight.​

​​As a result, energy-saving spaces can be realized by suppressing heat from entering the room through large glass windows and reducing room temperature rise. Additionally, SOLAMENT™ is highly transparent in the visible range, allowing you to maintain a bright and open ambience without compromising the aesthetic appearance.​​​​​​​​​

To maintain room temperature comfortably in a large glass window building

Can’t you make a window or roofing material that can cut only the hot wire while maintaining the brightness?
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*SOLAMENT™ is a material technology brand made from CWO™, nanoscale particles that have the unique ability to absorb NIR, invented by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., and are covered by patents and trademarks in both Japan and internationally.

Applications to Heat-emitting Fibers and Fast-Dry Fibers

​​Sumitomo Metal Mining’s near-infrared absorbing materials have been applied to fibers to develop products with quick-drying and heat-generating functions.​​​​​​​​​

​​Utilizing our SOLAMENT™, Takisada Nagoya Co., Ltd. has developed “NIROL™ (Nylor)” yarn containing SOLAEMNT™, a near-infrared absorbing material.​​​​​

​​NIROL reacts to the near infrared rays, which are renewable energy contained in sunlight, and has various functions. Typical features include heat shielding, proper functioning, infrared theft prevention, and light aging control.​

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Applications for low environmental impact motors~Rare-earth magnetic materials~

​​​​​​​​Samarium-based “SmFeN Magnetic Materials” is one of Sumitomo Metals’ main products for powder materials. SmFeN magnets are more resistant to rust than NdFeB magnets, which are widely used.​​​​​​​

​​These characteristics enable us to maintain stable performance over a long period of time even in the event of humidity or environmental changes.​

​​Furthermore, for SmFeN magnets,​

Furthermore, these rust-resistant SmFeN magnets typically do not require coating with organic solvents.​​​

Utilization of SmFeN magnets will not only contribute to energy conservation and efficient use of resouces, but will also lead to ecical consumption.​​

​​For more information and inquiries about SmFeN magnetics, please refer to the page below.​
Rare earth magnetic material

​​Ethical consumption means considering the impact on society and the environment when purchasing products and services, and emphasizing ethical values and sustainability. There are many things we can do in our daily lives to tackle ethical consumption.​

​​As the concept of ethical consumption spreads, corporations are also required to fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities. Efforts toward Ethical Consumption will increase the degree of corporate social contribution and increase product value as recognized by the market.​

​​Efforts toward ethical consumption are also important not only as a success in business, but also as part of a corporate culture that emphasizes social responsibility and sustainable growth.​

​​Would you like to consider the possibilities together with the aim of reducing the environmental burden?​